Inventory-based estimates of Above-Ground Tree Biomass Models for tectona grandis Linn. Plantation in Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Forest plays an important role in the global carbon cycle as carbon sinks of the terrestrial ecosystem. Accurate information on forest biomass is generally lacking and the use of harvest method to estimate biomass is expensive and laborious. This study is aimed at estimating above-ground tree biomass using allometric equations and standard method. Forest inventory based approach was adopted to estimate biomass and carbon stock of Tectona grandis in the study area. Five sample plots of 20mx20m were randomly laid in the plantation. Inventory data was collected for 103 trees and the parameters measured were height and diameter at middle. Allometric equations were developed at plot and pooled levels. The standard method gave a pooled biomass value of 105418.15kg/ha and carbon content of 52709.06kg/ha. Equation four (4) proves to be the most appropriate model with an R2 value of 0.998, which is recommended to predict the carbon sinks in the study location. This means that there were strong relationships among the growth parameters. Equation three (3) had the lowest R2 value of 0.973, which means that the parameters manipulations are not good predictors of biomass considering all indicators. Conclusively, maintenance of the plantation, planting of more trees, and adequate silvicultural practices will have a positive impact on the biomass.

Keywords: Carbon, Allometric Equations, Tectona grandis, Above-ground Tree Biomass